Mar 2 Preparing for Cherry Blossoms!

Yesterday, the organizers of DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival announced their prediction for this year’s peak cherry blossom bloom! Looks like this year peak bloom will be from March 7-14--one of the earliest dates on record! Since we only have a week to prepare, here are some tips to make the most out of this year’s cherry blossom season!

1. Go Early

If you’re going to the Tidal Basin, try to get there as early as possible. During peak bloom, the areas around the Martin Luther King and Jefferson memorials get crowded - and FAST! People come from all over the country to see these blossoms, so it’s no wonder that it gets a little busy. But watching the sunrise over the monuments or spending a quiet morning by the memorials is totally worth waking up a bit early - and you will be thankful to enjoy the view while maintaining your own personal space!

2. Walk, Don't Drive

Along with the tourists comes an exponential increase in traffic during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Luckily for Georgetown students, we can walk right along the waterfront to get there. Sure, this might require a little extra effort - but depending on the time of day, it could actually save you some time! Biking is also a great alternative, and there is a Capital Bikeshare station right by the front gates.

Just walk right along the waterfront - it's that easy!

3. Bring Your Camera

Did you really go see the cherry blossoms if you don’t post it on Insta? This is one of the most beautiful times of the year in DC, so you cannot go without your iPhone or camera! I always send my cherry blossom pictures to family members around the country - one of my friends even has one of my blossom pics framed in her home!

4. More Importantly, Bring Your Selfie Stick!

As one of the most insta-worthy occasions of the year, the Cherry Blossom Festival is the perfect time to pull out that old selfie stick. Don’t be shy… once you are there, you might be surprised by how many people are doing the same thing!

5. Explore Beyond the Basin!

While the Tidal Basin is the most famous spot to visit, there are many other places in DC where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms - and stay away from the crowds! The National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, and Stanton Park in Capitol Hill are all great places to check out as well!